Fastening device



c. l. CARLSON 2,125,540

FASTENING DEVICE Filed Aug. 15, 1956 CARL c/qreLso/v.

E. 5 V INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 2, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to fastening devices and more particularly to garter fasteners.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which consists of two elements adapted to wedgingly engage with each other, and which are of fiat formation so that they will lie flat against the leg of the wearer when engaged with a stocking.

Another object of the invention is the formation of a fastener of this character of sufficient width to engage the stocking over a relatively wide area so that the pull exerted upon the stocking will be distributed over a wider area than heretofore possible with the conventional form of fastener wherein a knob or button is embraced by a U-shaped member.

By forming the device of fiat material I provide a fastener which is practically invisible through tight-fitting outergarments, and which, due to its large gripping surface, renders the stocking less susceptible to runs which would otherwise occur due to the small gripping surface of a button or knob as aforesaid.

These and other objects will appear as my invention is more fully hereinafter described in the following specification, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and finally pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front view of the device in operative engagement with the upper end of a stocking at one side of the leg of the wearer.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the two parts of the fastener in position to be presented into operative engagement with each other.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention.

Figures 5 and 6 are end elevations of still further modified forms of the invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawmg:

Reference numeral I indicates the body of a stocking and 2 the usual band or thickened portion at the upper end thereof. 3 indicates a plate adapted to the interposed between the stocking and the leg of the wearer. The plate 3 along both of its sides is turned over on itself as at 4 to form a receptacle for a wedge plate 5. One end of the plate 3 is formed with an elongated slot 6 for attachment to a supporting band 1. One end of the wedge plate 5 is also provided with an elongated slot 8 for attachment to a supporting band 9. Both bands I and 9 are suspended in the usual manner from one of the undergarments of the wearer.

To engage this particular form of the fastener with a stocking the plate 3 is first inserted between the stocking and the leg of the wearer. The plate 5 is then placed on the outside of the stocking below the inner plate 3. The plate 5 is then advanced upwardly into wedging engagement between the inwardly turned edges 4 of the plate 3. When the plate 5 is thus advanced that portion of the stocking being gripped will extend over the top of both inwardly turned edges 4 and across the inner surface of the plate 3 and will be thus securely held by the pressure of the plate 5 within and against the plate 3.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figure 5, the member H), which corresponds with the plate 3 of Figure 2, is formed-with flat inclined side walls II, and the inner element [2, corresponding with the plate 5 in Figure 2, is formed with angular flat walls l3. By this arrangement a greater gripping surface is established between the flat angular surfaces of both elements.

In the modified form shown in Figure 6 the outside element I4 is identical with the element ID in Figure 5, but the inside element I5 has its edges inclined inwardly for engagement with the inwardly turned edges l6 of the element l4.

The further modified form shown in Figure 4 is made of wire and consists of an inner member I! shaped as shown out of a single piece of wire, and an outer member l8 shaped as shown to wedgingly receive the member II. This form of the invention functions the same as the others. The member 18 is first inserted between the stocking and the leg of the wearer and the member I1 is then advanced into it along with a portion of the stocking.

While I have shown a particular form of embodiment of my invention, I am aware that many minor changes therein will readily suggest themselves to others skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent 1s:

A garter fastener comprising a receptacle and a tapered wedge for engagement with the receptacle, said receptacle being made of a single piece of wire formed into two transverse portions and two converging longitudinal portions, the longitudinal portions being spaced from the transverse portions and inset from the ends thereof to form two opposed semi-circular portions at each end of the receptacle, said Wedge being made of a single piece of wire and formed into two transverse portions and two converging longitudinal portions for wedging engagement within said receptacle.

CARL I. CARLSON. 

